MOSCOW - The first vessel in Russia's Varshavyanka-class (improved Kilo-class) has entered service with the Black Sea Fleet, the Southern Military District's press service reported on September 17.
The Novorossiysk was laid down in August 2010 at the Admiralty shipyard in St. Petersburg. The vessel is still at the shipyard and will head to the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk after completing final trials with the Northern Fleet.
The Admiralty Shipyard is under contract with the Russian MoD to construct a total of six Project 636.3 subs by 2016. The keel of the third, the Stary Oskol, was laid down in August 2012, and the fourth, the Krasnodar, was laid in February 2014. The first three subs are slated for delivery in 2014, followed by a fourth in 2015 and the last two in 2016.
The vessels carry a crew of 52 and have an underwater speed of 20 knots, a cruising range of 400 miles (electric propulsion), and the ability to patrol for 45 days. They are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles. The improved Kilo class submarines feature advanced "stealth" technology, extended combat range, and the ability to strike land, surface, and underwater targets.
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